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Film Title: Beverly Hills Chihuahua

 Best for ages: 6 and up.

Movie Website: Click Here

Year Released: 2008

Rated: PG (US) G (CANADA)

SYNOPSIS

   Rachael (Piper Perabo)  is asked by her Aunt Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis) to watch over her beloved Chihuahua Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) while she goes away on business. But as fate would have it Rachel and Chloe get separated and Chloe is left out on the streets dodging bad guys who want to kidnap her. She is helped out by a German Shepherd named Delgado ( Andy Garcia) whom is street smart and knows how to survive. The two go on a dangerous journey together while being tracked down by a group of bad guys and their dog Diablo, A Doberman Pincher who will do anything to get his paws on the duo. With the help of other dogs, a Mouse and Iguana. The Duo goes on a big adventure to try to find their way back home. Meanwhile, Rachel, the Gardner and Papi (Voiced by George Lopez) are looking for Chloe along with a polie officer who is trying to track down the bandits who are after Chloe and Delgado.

VIOLENCE/GRAPHIC CONTENT/language

   This movie really does not have much to really pinpoint as being anything out of the ordinary that's of major concern.  There are a few things but nothing to crazy. What I do find to be quite annoying and stereotypical is the rich Beverly hills attitude that not only the humans in this film have, but the dogs as well. There is a treatment of classes where the rich treat the middle class and the poor a bit different. In one scene Chloe, tries to get some guy at a hotel to look at her collar in an attempt for him to return her to her owner. Because she is covered in dirt the other dogs make fun of her and she is removed by one of the hotel staff.  Rachel assumes that the landscaper does not speak English and just assumes that he has no clue what she's saying. It almost comes off as if she is talking down to him, because he is just, as she refers to it as "The Gardner".

  While on the run, a group of bandits along with their Doberman Diablo are after Chloe and Delgado, not only because she has a collar that worth a fortune, but he knows he make money off of her in other ways as well, such as holding her for ransom and the likes. There are a lot of dangerous chase scenes that include both dogs and humans. There is a scene where  Mountain Lions try to hurt Chloe and Delgado but are rescued by a gang of Chihuahuas.  Diablo Is pretty vicious and does attack a few dogs in the film as well as Chloe, There is no blood or gore or anything, but it's implied that a full blown fight has happened. There are a few other small things here and there that might be a little bit of a concern such as lies being told by a mouse that wants to get his hands on Chloe collar, he's a sneaky one but eventually he helps her out. There is a scene where  bites a man in the nose as well.  

   In terms of bad language there is really nothing to be to concerned about.  There are a few little insults and standoffs, but nothing crazy in exchanged, words like "fool" and "dumb" are thrown around, and "Oh my God" in more than one language. There us a Birthday cake that is of a dog lifting his leg, and there is some drinking in the movie, but nothing that is so crazy it's of major concern.

OVERALL VIEWS

   Talking animal films have been around for a while. The oldest one I can think of is one of the sequels in the "Look Who Talking" movie made during the the late nineteen eighties, and early nineties. Since then there have been a few others such as the "buddies" movies that Disney seems to be doing well with. "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" reminds more of some of Disney's animated films such as "Lady and the Tramp" and "Oliver and Company". It has a similar storyline to those films but takes a different approach in what happens.

   The movie has many similar face and voices. In the human roles actors such a Jamie Lee Curtis and Piper Perabo have roles, and the voices of the animals includes actors such as George Lopez as Papi, Drew Barrymore as Chole, Andy Garcia as Delgado, Cheech Marin as Manuel, Edward James Olmos as Diablo and Paul Rodriguez as Chico. While the performances are not half bad and Drew Barrymore as Chole and Andy Garcia as Delgado are the main stars of the film, I think George Lopez as Papi stole the show. The character was really funny and full of memorable one-liners. 

   Overall the movie does start off a bit slow, and has that Beverly Hills like stereotype to it in the beginning. But once the characters are established the movie does become very adventurous.  It's not really a movie that everyone is going to want to sit down and enjoy, and I think younger kids might not be able to sit though it. I say maybe kids six and older can handle this one, even though there are a few scenes that do come off as a bit violent, it's not so bad that it will scare them. 

   The DVD includes a few features such as Deleted Scenes with an introduction by Director Raja Gosnell, a Bloopers Reel, An Animated Short film titled "Legend of the Chihuahua" as well as feature commentary with Director Raja Gosnell.

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